London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Three festival goers have suffered "serious side-effects" from taking a drug they thought was ecstasy.

The blue tablets, known as "Blue Ghost", have left the three people at V Festival in Weston Park requiring emergency medical treatment.

Police have seized a small number of the tablets so far at the music event near Telford.

Officers issued an appeal urging people to avoid taking the drugs.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Emergency teams have treated three people who took a blue tablet they believed to be ecstasy at V Festival in Weston Park. All had serious side-effects after taking the tablets and needed urgent medical treatment.

"If you see anything suspicious contact the on-site police or security immediately - officers are investigating the incidents and have already seized a small number of tablets called 'Blue Ghost'.

"If you have taken any of these tablets - contact emergency teams immediately."